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The Raven Collection Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Raven Collection novel. A total of 373 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : James Barclay.The Raven Collection.'Barclay writes with power, pace and a wonderful
James Barclay.The Raven Collection.'Barclay writes with power, pace and a wonderful sense of humour. Better than that, he creates novels you want to read again and again' David Gemmell.'A greathearted book written on a grand scale. An enthr
- 201 'And you have the healthy cynicism of experience,' said Dystran, noticing the gesture. 'Captain, all I can offer you now are my thanks, the respect of the Circle Seven and a place to bathe and change. I have had chambers readied for you both just a lit
- 202 'I don't think so,' said The Unknown. 'But maybe I will if you answer me truthfully.'The Familiar's hairless head pulsated, veins throbbing. It spat into The Unknown's face. 'Traitor.'The Unknown wiped the fetid spittle from his cheek. 'No. We d
- 203 The mage was running hard, head down, legs and arms pumping. Framed in the gate arch he seemed so close to freedom. But from the side, a soldier rushed in, swung his sword and caught Erys a glancing blow across the shoulder. Yron saw the blood spray and E
- 204 Moving across open ground and making for one of the few surviving forest areas five miles south of Xetesk, they were seen by a group of twenty riders galloping across the tufted muddy plain crossed by a lattice of narrow streams. The hors.e.m.e.n had been
- 205 Ilkar chuckled. 'You know perfectly well why we're here and not in Xetesk. The TaiGethen have recovered the Yniss fragment and we're here to join you. Erienne has to travel with you to aid the binding, and where Erienne goes, The Raven go.'That got Au
- 206 'There's much more work to be done,' evaded Selik. 'And I do hope there's a reason for these questions.''Well, you have the tools to do both and neither right here,' said Yron.Selik cleared his throat. 'The ice is thin beneath your feet, Captain.
- 207 'Hirad-''I don't want to hear it. You aren't dying on me and that's final.'He was aware his hands were shaking. Erienne kissed his cheek.'Keep on telling him,' she whispered into his ear.He nodded.'So,' said The Unknown. 'Before we all turn in
- 208 'Erienne, Denser, ready?'The pair nodded, preparing, melding their constructs for wider effect.'A short sharp shower. When it's down, we go and we don't stop,' said Darrick. 'Is everyone clear?''Ilks?' asked Hirad.'My ears are on the side of my
- 209 'What exactly?' asked Darrick.'A mage can reverse the flows from any spell or construct and in doing so draw mana in from a wider area.''I said, put your weapons down. There's no room for debate,' said Selik.Hirad held up a hand. 'Ren, put your bo
- 210 'Turn round, Selik,' said Hirad.Selik did so, drawing his sword. They were in an office. A desk and chair were to one side and a bookshelf held various papers. A window let out on to the compound where The Raven and TaiGethen were mopping up the remnant
- 211 'This is a black day for The Raven,' said Hirad.'But we have the thumb,' said Thraun. He pointed to the barracks. Auum was walking through the doorway, the prize in his grateful hands. Duele and Evunn came after him, pus.h.i.+ng a man in front of them
- 212 Very well.The sound of their voices grew in her mind and at once the tendrils of the One started to move together. The language was ancient and elvish but power reverberated in every syllable. They were forging a shape like a cast. It was huge and rotated
- 213 Hirad scowled and tensed. He wasn't happy with the atmosphere. The four old men were clearly intent solely on establis.h.i.+ng guilt. Only Heryst seemed truly interested in the possibility that Darrick took the only decision open to him under the circ.u.
- 214 It had been relatively short-lived. An abyss had opened up in each one of them, giving them a glimpse of an existence without the touch of mana. It had been terrifying. A void of unfathomable depth, of unbridgeable loss.Pheone let her gaze travel slowly a
- 215 He pivoted and lunged after Darrick, threatening to break free, his rage giving him a strength to match even the big man's. But as he turned, Thraun caught his free arm and the two Raven men bore him backwards, cursing, spitting his fury and heaving agai
- 216 'We have to bring new muscle and new energy to the fight,' said Devun. 'Captain Selik had always kept one idea back. Something he thought we could do if we were desperate. I think that time is now. It's risky but if we bring down the colleges, it'll
- 217 Kayvel shook his head and turned away, moving a step towards the window. When he turned, his expression was deliberately neutral.'You are making a mistake,' he said.Heryst moved to stand beside him again and looked down on the crowd which stood in almos
- 218 Thraun and Hirad parted. Denser cast. He was a very accurate mage. His tightly wound spell snapped out, catching the soldier square in the face. Blood spattered from his broken nose and in his surprise, he dropped his weapon, both hands clutching at his f
- 219 'Come on!' yelled Denser triumphantly.The Unknown laughed and chased him out into the streets of Lystern.Chapter 6.Auum edged a little further back into the shadows while the college guards, three of them, walked past. They didn't stray far from the wa
- 220 'Yes!' Dystran clapped his hands together. 'Correct answer. Verify away. Don't sleep until you have the proof you need and don't fear being wrong. I need the truth more than I need lies dressed up as good news.'Dystran called his advisers to him and
- 221 Hirad relaxed and let Sha-Kaan's dominating presence into his mind. He noted a resignation in the great old dragon's feelings. Acceptance of fate, perhaps. Weariness, certainly.'I am lonely, Hirad Coldheart,' he rumbled. 'Lonely, old and tired.''I
- 222 'Shouldn't go attacking The Raven, Tolmek,' said The Unknown, commanding voice crossing the twenty yard divide. 'And you can have the same but it is not what we want.''There's a high price on your heads, Unknown,' replied Tolmek. 'And those are m
- 223 'What happens now?' he asked.Riasu smiled at his next small victory. 'Your men will stop here with my warriors. They may move no further into our lands. You will come with me.''Sir?' said Devun's deputy who had overheard the exchange.'We'll do ex
- 224 'The official line is that you're outlaws and General Darrick is a condemned man wanted for his execution. But it doesn't add up. We are told not to harm any of you but to bring you back to Lystern alive and well. And the Dordovans have been told the s
- 225 Dystran watched on a few more moments, happy that this latest enemy surge would be turned away. But, just as when he awoke, there was a nagging in his mind that something significant had changed. He hadn't seen enough of the fighting to put his finger on
- 226 'How so?' asked Darrick.'We are not of one accord regarding our field positions to await Xetesk's expected attack,' said Izack.'What's not to agree? We're in position aren't we?' Darrick let his shoulders slump. 'You'd better explain.''It's
- 227 'Nothing will move,' said Hirad. 'We'll be as quiet as you.'A smile flickered on Auum's face. 'Do as we do. No talk until we are inside the city.'He turned and set off at an easy trot, Duele and Evunn his shadows, The Raven following in their wake
- 228 'This is a different situation,' he said.'Not really. The feelings are the same whether they are declared enemies or not, and whether we are stealing or reclaiming. Makes you feel a traitor, doesn't it?'Denser nodded. 'Sort of.''Don't feel guilty
- 229 'They know we were here,' he said to Duele at his shoulder.'It was inevitable,' said Duele.'Unfortunate, nevertheless. Pa.s.s the word.'He crept up to the mouth of the alley and looked over at the college. The effect of the discovery of the guards'
- 230 'We all know what his friends.h.i.+p meant to you,' said Erienne. 'Do right by him and help us all get out of here alive.'The barbarian nodded, a very definite gesture. He looked squarely at Auum.'Let's go get your books,' he said.Chapter 16.Dystra
- 231 'Well, it's now or never,' said Hirad. 'Come on, Raven.'As he was instructed, Hirad opened the door just far enough and slipped out to the right. His heart was beating fast and reality hit him hard. He was standing in the grounds of the Dark College.
- 232 He must have dozed off momentarily because he felt the cool air on his face without seeing the door to his bedchamber open and close to admit whoever it was who had come to see him. He sighed and opened his eyes, his vision swimming slightly as it always
- 233 'I-' His mouth would barely open, such was the pressure from The Unknown's hand.'Do you understand me?' He relaxed his grip.'I hear you.''Good.''What a shame, though,' said Ranyl.'I beg your pardon?' asked Denser.'You could have been so much
- 234 The Raven moved. Denser turned and ran away around the base of Dystran's tower, Rebraal right with him. Darrick pressured forwards, engaging two opponents with Thraun by him, powering in strokes that drove his targets further and further back. And The Un
- 235 Rebraal took off in his last three paces and planted a two-footed kick into the chest of the second of Hirad's flanking attackers. He landed atop the man, heard ribs crack and turned to get the barbarian's grateful nod before the pair of them carved int
- 236 'There's a map room where we're going but it's incomplete because Circle Seven mages are unwilling to admit to everything they've developed. It's like a different country down here. There'll be mages researching down here who barely ever see the li
- 237 Kestys managed a nod. 'You are Sol.''So you know what I want.'Kestys dragged in a tremulous breath and swallowed hard. 'I can't do that. Please. Don't ask that.'Denser slammed the hapless mage back against a wall, ruffling the blue cloth hanging.
- 238 Ark tensed his muscles and powered in the swing and all but fell. His mind was silent, loss deluged him and in the same instant, unrefined joy battled it, his soul crying out on return to its rightful place.Panicked, he tried to drag the axe aside from it
- 239 The Unknown had no doubt they would have tripped many alarms and reminders for anyone working down here but that was a risk they had to take. To avoid every one would have been tantamount to suicide, so long would they have had to delay.At the rear of the
- 240 Auum took six quick paces back, watching Duele defend against two men, his body movements efficient, his swords working well against the heavier weapons of the enemy. At his feet Evunn stared at him, imploring the pain to stop. Ahead, the mage's hands ti
- 241 'Do not patronise me, Dordovan,' said Dila'heth. 'Your conflicts have caused harm on Calaius. Xetesk may be in the dock but none of you are blameless.''Young lady I-' began Vuldaroq.'I think what Vuldaroq is saying is that we are eternally gratefu
- 242 'Outside . . . the . . . city.' Myx struggled to frame the words. 'Not far.'And it wasn't. At the edge of the grey light, Myx turned down a narrow unfinished side pa.s.sage ending in a blank wall. Again he felt inside the illusion and pushed a panel
- 243 Below Hirad, the world turned blue, a force of air whipping up the shaft bouncing him from side to side. Myx tumbled beneath him like a doll cast carelessly aside, shards of the oak panel a storm about him. Urgent shouts were followed by soldiers cl.u.s.t
- 244 'Next, research.'Faces around the table became, if anything, longer than before. Dystran tried to ignore them.'Elven translations?''Unfinished,' said Ranyl. 'And with Gylac and his a.s.sistant dead, we would struggle to confirm any theory, or indee
- 245 He would have to be careful.Chapter 29.'Denser!' Thraun's voice was low and urgent.It was mid morning. The sounds of fighting at the east gates of Xetesk rolled up the gentle slope, filling the air with discordance. From where he had been lying, Denser
- 246 'Kaan!' he said suddenly, pointing and smiling.Diera laughed. 'That's right, darling. And soon it will be time to say goodbye.''Bye,' said Jonas.Deep in the plains of Teras, Sha-Kaan's Brood mothers were calling to him. He could feel it.Chapter 30
- 247 But like Hirad and The Unknown, who rode ahead of him, Denser would not let Ilkar's dreams die.Chapter 31.Vuldaroq strode through the cloister corridor of Dordover, seeking out Heryst, whom he had been told was in the Chamber of Reflection, a room of pol
- 248 In front of him was a fragmented, but in places very dangerous, guerrilla force. He had already decided not to attempt to slow up the elves. His testing of the forward scouts had cost him too much and setting a large enough force in front of that enemy wa
- 249 Auum and Rebraal saw to the structure of the camp defence, positioning elves on riverbank and crag heights as well as front and rear. The mages were scattered through the camp in groups against the risk of spell attack and the ClawBound rested or scouted
- 250 So quick, so incisive, exactly as he had warned. While his mages were preparing s.h.i.+eld defence and attack, he heard the thundering of hooves.'To arms!' he hollered. 'Where was my f.u.c.king perimeter!'He was joined by some of the quicker minds and
- 251 'They meant you no harm,' said Dystran gently. 'It was me who failed you. I am sorry.''I was in my own chambers and they just walked in,' he said.Dystran could see the fear in those bright, wise eyes and was reminded that great mage though he was, R
- 252 Auum led them in a prayer to Yniss to watch over them, and to Tual, the G.o.d the ClawBound most revered, to guide them.'There can be no sound,' he said. 'Our jaqrui pouches remain closed, the Claws must restrain their voices. We are few. We can inflic
- 253 The Unknown looked across at Hirad. He was a.s.sessing them like he might a.s.sess a selection of cuts of meat for his table. There was no remorse or regret in his stance or expression. In his mind they had deserved death and so they had died. It made the
- 254 'If you believe, you fight,' he said.'It isn't the college,' said Rebraal. 'It is the city around it.''They are part of the same,' he said. 'Yet their history means nothing to them, it seems. That is what makes them trivial, and takes them away
- 255 'Then if you don't mind taking an order from an ex-general, go and start now. Maximum time, maximum rest.''You don't need me?''Not that much,' said Hirad. 'Get on and good luck.'Pheone nodded and left to calls for good fortune from around the ta
- 256 The Unknown saw Darrick stiffen as the enemy general rode up to the gate house, flanked by two riders carrying flags of parley in white and deep blue quarters. A s.h.i.+eld mage rode behind him. He led a disciplined force. There was no talking in the rank
- 257 They sprinted into the street, heading left to the guarded junction. Duele and Evunn as they always were, at his shoulders, the other four Tais in their formations left and right of him. ClawBound padded behind.Bows were flexed and fired on the run. Two s
- 258 A Lysternan cavalry mage had brought further news in the early hours of the morning that the college still stood and that Izack was planning another a.s.sault on the Xeteskians at the earliest opportunity. Though their cavalry was stronger, the Xeteskians
- 259 Sha-Kaan howled in anguish, the pain biting into him, deeper and deeper. The mages from the other side of the college had been quick. Too quick for him and he had been blinded by his success. He had to climb away, to reach safety where he could see to his
- 260 'Now leave me be.'Erienne immersed herself in the elemental spectrum and saw its colours. She could see the deep blue of Xeteskian magic mixed with the dull yellow that signified Julatsa and, surrounding both, the multiple hues of brown and dark, dark g
- 261 'Denser, there's another,' he said.But if the Xeteskian attacked, Hirad didn't see him. He sagged to his knees completely exhausted.The Unknown carved his sword through the waist of a Xeteskian mage and looked down on Denser. He didn't want to move a
- 262 Demonstorm.For Simon Spanton, a great friend and great editor, and without whom there would have been no Raven.Cast List.Chapter 1.'Again!' Tessaya swept his arm down. 'Again!'The Wesmen charged the walls of Xetesk once more, tribal banners snapping i
- 263 'Yes, my Lord,' said Sharyr. 'I have family in the city.''Then they are fortunate because you will personally be keeping them safe, won't you?''Me? I-'Dystran turned to face his nervous student.'The distance between the walls of the city and tho
- 264 'No, young pup. I'm tired.' He managed a brief smile. 'I will leave it to younger men. I was . . . I was really only waiting until you came to say goodbye.'Ranyl's voice was fading such that Dystran had to lean closer and closer. His words chilled t
- 265 Chapter 4.His head fuzzy with the after-effects of too much red wine, Hirad led The Raven from the college and city of Julatsa with the sun climbing high into a beautiful, clear spring sky.He had made his peace with Ilkar. His anger at his friend's death
- 266 'But it hasn't always been that way, I take it?'The leader shook his head, indicating his men move aside to let them through before he replied.'A lot of refugees have pa.s.sed this way from the mage lands, and before them we had them from as far east
- 267 'I'll tell you what's going to happen,' said The Unknown. 'You're going to give back every coin you have taken from this village. You'll also leave them your horses because you are walking away from here. Your return will be to your graves.''Not
- 268 Dystran sampled the construct. Felt its solidity and the effort of the mages keeping it secure while the forces poured in. It was the textbook shape. The casting would be a triumph. All he could do now was wait. The field strengthened further, discordant
- 269 'The rider!' Hirad pointed. 'Quickly. Betrayer!'Thraun barked once and set off, the panther quickly at his side. The impostor looked over his shoulder and screamed at his terrified mount for more speed. But instead of that, all he got was a stutter an
- 270 'Then we will break the Spirits before we break you.''It is a battle you cannot win.'The demon stared at him for a moment, turned and floated away back to the college. An uneasy calm fell over the Wesmen. Tessaya looked back to the towers of Xetesk.Th
- 271 'We aren't sure,' said Kild'aar. 'And it will involve all of us. Humans, Wesmen and elves. But there is something about The Raven that burns brighter than life. Together, you can achieve that which as individuals you cannot. That none of us can. I ca
- 272 'Let him get used to you before you get a hold of the bridle and then move down his flank slowly. Make sure you keep in physical contact. Only then put your foot in the stirrup. Do it slowly and calmly and should be skitter, back off and try again. I'll
- 273 Swords swept from scabbards and the blows rained in. Pheone saw it all in a kind of detached awe. The relentless motion, the speed of the strike. All to a purpose. Swords bit into heads and arms, sliced through wing membrane. Feet thudded into gut, groin
- 274 A murmur ran around the room. Heryst looked round. On the council table, the ColdRoom mages were lost in their casting. Two others sat next to them, monitoring the mana spectrum as best they could for any communication through the strands of mana that lin
- 275 'Your son is beautiful,' he said, voice a ba.s.s rumble, his eyes a brilliant blue, s.h.i.+ning with affection.'Thank you,' she said. 'It is good to see you.''But the reason why breaks your heart.'She nodded. Darric
- 276 They were a way distant, probably a couple of miles and maybe more, and the demons were clamouring to get at them, whoever they were. Dystran took a quick look down into the occupied parts of the college. It was all but deserted. He took a deep breath and
- 277 'Run!' Chandyr led the charge back to the doors, stopping by Dystran who had backed right to the edge of the ColdRoom.Soldiers and mages rushed past. Demons closed in from left, right and above. The corridor down which the Dordovans flew narrowe
- 278 The five remaining fanned out around him where he hovered, again beating his wings gently, displaying his scales, hanging perpendicular to the ground thousands of feet below.'Do you know nothing, or are you so full of anger you cannot read the signs
- 279 'Yes, Sha-Kaan. That your melde will soon be shattered, that the Kaan will dwindle. That I need not spill one more drop of Naik blood to beat you. Merely bide my time.'Sha-Kaan feathered his tongue in humour. 'All these things are true. But
- 280 Hirad moved past her and yanked open the door. 'Ilkar. He moved straight through me. He was running. He was frightened.''That's not . . .'Hirad didn't stop to ease Erienne's confusion. He trotted along the short corridor
- 281 The demon started to struggle again when they lifted it from the ground, contorting its body, shaking its limbs and arching its neck. But these were strong and determined men Arabelle had selected and they moved with purpose.Pounding through the streets b
- 282 Heryst swung by Arabelle and she could see the set of his face and the disappointment in his eyes.'Been comfortable in here, hasn't it?' he said. There was a ripple of laughter. 'Funny, is it? In here where the demons can't pluck
- 283 The mist soaked into them, penetrating deep into their skins where it simply dissolved the linkage that bound the mana to them. Immediately, Erienne could see the mana sloughing from the demons. Tiny particles glimmering in the ma.s.s of energy trails. Un
- 284 Blackthorne put an arm around his shoulder and began to lead him back to the rest of The Raven who were standing or sitting in a group, drinks in hands, looking back at the demons cl.u.s.tered outside the ColdRooms.'Later, Hirad. First of all, you sh
- 285 In front of him, Hirad saw green vegetables, a sprinkling of chicken, and potatoes. Not exactly a Blackthorne feast of old but a step up from the broth he was a.s.sured they ate most other times. Still, they all had enough to satisfy them. And while they
- 286 'Yes,' he confessed. 'For some reason, the stakes seem higher for Balaia. Stupid, I know, but they do. After all, destruction or domination have always been the cost of failure.''But not for the scattered dimensions too,' sai
- 287 The shapechanger was pulling on his s.h.i.+rt as he trotted over from the longboat. Hirad watched him kneel and touch the ground. He crumbled earth in his palm and rubbed gra.s.s between his fingers. He breathed deeply over the bloodstains and scorch mark
- 288 Auum paused, listening to the ebb and flow of the wind. He could hear the diminis.h.i.+ng echoes of demon calls and sporadic cries from young, scared mouths. Dying away slowly. Like Balaia.He waved his Tai on towards a low barn set between two corn fields
- 289 'The TaiGethen examine every move a prey makes. They chart their strengths, learn their failings. We strike only when prepared. Only humans have a G.o.d of fortune; and he has turned against you.'Pheone felt she should apologise but stopped hers
- 290 He flew into the centre of the ring of Beshara's most powerful dragons and altered his att.i.tude, hanging vertically in the air and rotating slowly, displaying his belly scales to them all.'Which is it to be?'There was a long moment when S
- 291 The cursyrd were waiting for them before the first wagon was. .h.i.tched to its nervous horse. Since they'd begun loading the fifteen wagons, some little more than makes.h.i.+ft covered trailers, in the dead of night the enemy had been preparing. Auu
- 292 Auum nodded at the Al-Arynaar warrior beside him on the kicker board.'Clear the driver. I will watch.'A soul stealer landed heavily on the back of one horse which reared and threatened to bolt, kept in its traces only by the weight of the other
- 293 It took Dystran a while to work out what it was that had alerted his subconscious and caused him to look up and through his closed balcony windows.'What has just happened?' he asked, pus.h.i.+ng his chair back.'You were struggling to deciph
- 294 'The castle, the stable block, the back courtyard, the inner courtyard and the equipment sheds. That's about it.''Oh dear G.o.ds.' Blackthorne shook his head. 'How many have we lost?''I don't know,' said L
- 295 'Rebraal must have s.p.a.ced the ColdRooms,' said Erienne. 'Created mana-rich areas.''Fascinating,' said Denser. 'If you consider that mana is channelled over the outsides of the sh.e.l.ls, it'll create areas of rea
- 296 Rebraal straightened, sword whipping out in a wide arc. He felt it catch the wing of a cursyrd which squealed and twisted upwards, colour flaring a bright red. He took in the quick view. The roof of the wagon was threatened. The cursyrd's charge had
- 297 Darrick, flanked by elves, was calming the horses. Commands mixed with soft words in one's ears brought it back to its senses and it began to slow, bringing the other with it, suddenly aware of its peril and needing direction. Hirad provided it, turn
- 298 'Hmm.' Hiela nodded. 'But there is more, isn't there? The Raven are with them now. These are not men who come merely to extend their lifespans. These are men who expect victory and travel only to the places where they believe that chan
- 299 Now Darrick stood with The Raven, minus Erienne and Thraun, and the TaiGethen, just behind the line of mages. Hirad had won his battle as they all knew he would and had taken his place at The Unknown's right-hand side. He was plainly discomforted but
- 300 He almost felt sorry for the demons they faced. After all, he couldn't follow every move they made himself. And they were so much in concert that it left no room for inroads into their attack or defence despite the fact that reavers had joined the fi